shell - Syntax error at line 1 : `(' is not expected -

as i'm new unix, can why error?

error: 0403-057 syntax error @ line 1 : `(' not expected 

unix server used: aix servname 1 6 00f635064c00

script used (to send email alert if day before yesterday source files didn't arrive):

#!/usr/bin/ksh  count=$(sqlplus $prod_db @select count(*) file_audit (file_name '%abc%' or file_name '%dce%') , substr(file_name,17,8)=to_char(to_date(sysdate-2,'dd/mm/yy'), 'yyyymmdd') > asa_file_count.log)  daybefore=`tz=aaa48 date +%d-%m-%y`  if [[ $count -lt 20 ]] echo "alert - source files yet received date: $daybefore" | mail -s "alert : source data files missing" s@g.com fi 

parentheses special shell. sql script contains parentheses don't want shell process. however, shell processes non-quoted parentheses. therefore, can use quotes prevent parentheses in sql being interpreted shell:

count=$(sqlplus $prod_db "@select count(*) file_audit (file_name '%abc%' or file_name '%dce%') , substr(file_name,17,8)=to_char(to_date(sysdate-2,'dd/mm/yy'), 'yyyymmdd')" > asa_file_count.log) #                        ^ , similarly, closing quote @ end, before  ">asa_file..." . 

now, there second issue: have

count=$(sqlplus ... > asa_file_count.log) 

however, think means count empty, since count go asa_file_count.log , not available captured $(). believe removing >asa_file_count.log want:

count=$(sqlplus "$prod_db" "<your query>") 

(i put double-quotes around $prod_db in case prod_db's value contains spaces.)